Flexible strip jar cap wrench



Sept 6, 149. R. J. WHITAKER 2,431,055

FLEXIBLE STRIP JAR CAP WRENCH Filed May 24, 1945 1N VEN TOR.azadaZZJVVZzz$aZQy Patented Sept. 6 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT "OFFICEFLEXIBLE STRIF CAP WRENCH Randall J. Whitaker, Newport, R. 1.Application May 24, 1945, Serial No. 595,603

This invention relates to a device for applying torque to variousobjects, usually objects which are circular in shape, such for instanceas a pipe, jar top, or the like.

To turn an object which is circular in shape for tightening or looseningthreaded connection with the same is often diflicult because of lack ofchance to get a good grip upon the same.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a simple tool whichmay be easily and quickly adjusted in size and one which will firmlygrip a circular object for turning the same with a considerable torque.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device which as turningmovement is applied will more tightly grip the object which is workedupon.

Another object of this invention is to provide a torque applying devicewhich will securely grip objects of a widely varying diameter or sizewithout adjustment.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device which will gripsuch objects without marring the same.

Another object of this invention is to provide a frictional gripcircularly about the object through a large portion of the extent of theobject being gripped.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certainnovel features of construction, as will be more fully described andparticularly pointed out in the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top view partially in central section illustrating my torqueapplying device.

Fig. 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 1 and.illustrating a jar top as being gripped with the jar broken away at thelower portion.

In proceeding with this invention I have provided a rigid handle memberand fixedly secured thereto one end of a flexible member and ad-Justably secured thereto the other end of a flexible member which mayslide through such adjustment to vary the size of the loop which isformed. The end of the rigid member is curved so as to roll along theouter surface of the strap and varying the point of application ofpressure while providing a pivot with relation to which the other end ofthe strap portion may be moved to more firmly engage the object to begripped.

With reference to the drawings, Ill designates a rigid handle memberwhich may be of metal, wood, or plastic and which is provided with anarcuate or curved end ll.

1 Claim. (Cl. 81-343) A flexible strap [2, which may be of woven orbraided textile fabric suitably treated to increase its co-efficient offriction, or plastic or leather which may have been treated, has one endl4 secured by screw I5 along one side surface l6 of the member Ill. Asuificient part of the strap l2 extends beyond the rounded end H toprovide the size of loop required for gripping the jar top or work I! asshown in Fig. 1 which closes the jar la. The other end portion IQ of thestrap is then passed through a clamp designated generally 20 and extendsin face-toface contact along the strap portion [4. This portion l9 maybe slid through the clamp 26 as to vary the size of the loop I2 whichprotrudes beyond the end I l of the rigid member ill.

The clamp consists of a yoke having side walls 2| and 22 and an end Wall23 which will engage the strap part [9 to draw it snugly against thestrap part M. The opposite end 24 of the yoke is threaded for thereception of a screw 25 having a handle 26 so that the shank 25 of thisscrew may be moved inwardly against the shoe 2'? which is set into arecess 28 in the side wall 29 of the handle member 10. The end of thescrew 2'5 which engages this shoe 21 is rounded so that turning may moreeasily occur for pulling the yoke firmly into engagement to bind thestrap parts in place.

The handle ID will he usually positioned on the jar top or circularobject upon which it is to operate, so that the handle will extendsubstantially in the position shown in Fig. 1 or in a position movedcounterclockwise somewhat to that there shown. Assuming that the strapends are bound in position as shown in Fig. 1, the handle may then beswung clockwise so that its rounded end H will roll along the outersurface 30 of the strap l2 and press against this outer surface to forcethe strap inwardly at such location. The strap portion l9 being grippedby the clamp 2| will be drawn more tightly about the work or jar top ITas such action occurs and rotation of the jar top will take place uponthe jar to tighten the same on the jar in the showing in Fig. l of thedrawing. By turning the device over the loosening of the jar top may behad by movement of the handle in a counterclockwise direction. When thedevice is utilized for loosening the localized point of pressure causedby the curved end I I being forced inwardly by this action will pressthe strap and in turn the jar top inwardly so as to tend to spring it inthis location to assist in loosening the same should it adhere to thejar.

The handle l may be utilized for mounting a cork screw 3| pivoted as at32 to be moved out of recess 33, or for mounting a can opener 34 at oneend of a bar 35 which may slide in a slot 36 in the handle H] to andfrom a recess 31 in the end of the handle. This shank 35 may be held indifferent adjusted positions by thumb spring button 38 which may lodgein openings 39 or 46- in the shank 35 of this can opener to hold it indifferent adjusted positions.

I claim:

A torque applying device comprising a rigid handle member having arounded end, a flexible strap providing a loop with its end portionsextending one along the other and with one end portion secured to saidmember adjacent said rounded end, a clamp having Walls completelyencircling said member and 'both'end portions and in contact with theouter of said end portions, a thumb screw throughone portion of saidclamp, said handle member having a'recess in its suriace in a positionto receive the inner end of said thumb screw, and ashoe-of hardmater-ialins id recess against which said screw engages to act as an abutment todraw said clamp against said "file of this patent:

4 strap portions, whereby said rounded end upon movement of the handlemember in one direction will roll along the outer surface of saidsecured strap end portion and draw the other strap end portion ingreater tension about the work within the loop.

RANDALL J. WHITAKER.

REFERENCES CITED The fol.lpwi ng references are ofrecord in the UNITEDSTATES PATENTS

